Eyeglasses with electrical components

ABSTRACT

A pair of glasses with one or more electrical components partially or fully embedded in the glasses is disclosed. In one embodiment, a pair of glasses includes a speaker and an electrical connector, both at least partially embedded in the glasses, with the speaker and the connector electrically coupled together by an electrical conductor. In another embodiment, a pair of glasses includes a storage medium and an electrical connector. In yet another embodiment, a pair of glasses includes a speaker, a coder/decoder, a processor and a storage medium. The glasses can serve as a multimedia asset player. In a further embodiment, some of the electrical components are in a base tethered to a pair of glasses. Instead of just receiving signals, in one embodiment, a pair of glasses also has a microphone and a wireless transceiver. In another embodiment, a pair of glasses includes a preference indicator that allows a user to indicate the user&#39;s preference regarding, for example, what is being output by the glasses. In yet another embodiment, there can be one or more control knobs on the glasses. In a further embodiment, a pair of glasses includes a camera and electrical components for wireless connection. In yet a further embodiment, a pair of glasses includes a sensor.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/964,011, filed Oct. 12, 2004 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,192,136,and entitled “TETHERED ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FOR EYEGLASSES,” which ishereby incorporated herein by reference, which in turn claims priorityto each of: (i) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/509,631,filed Oct. 9, 2003, and entitled “TETHERED ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FOREYEGLASSES,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; (ii) U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 60/527,565, filed Dec. 8, 2003, andentitled “ADAPTABLE COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUES FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES,”which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; (iii) U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 60/562,798, filed Apr. 15, 2004, entitled“EYEWEAR WITH ULTRAVIOLET DETECTION SYSTEM,” and which is herebyincorporated herein by reference; (iv) U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/583,169, filed Jun. 26, 2004, entitled “ELECTRICALCOMPONENTS FOR USE WITH EYEWEAR, AND METHODS THEREFOR,” and which ishereby incorporated herein by reference; (v) U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/592,045, filed Jul. 28, 2004, entitled “EYEGLASSESWITH A CLOCK OR OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENT,” and which is herebyincorporated herein by reference; and (vi) U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/605,191, filed Aug. 28, 2004, entitled “ELECTRICALCOMPONENTS FOR USE WITH EYEWEAR, AND METHODS THEREFOR,” and which ishereby incorporated herein by reference.

The application also claims priority to each of: (i) U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 60/592,045, filed Jul. 28, 2004, entitled“EYEGLASSES WITH A CLOCK OR OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENT,” and which ishereby incorporated herein by reference; (ii) U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/605,191, filed Aug. 28, 2004, entitled “ELECTRICALCOMPONENTS FOR USE WITH EYEWEAR, AND METHODS THEREFOR,” and which ishereby incorporated herein by reference; (iii) U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/618,107, filed Oct. 12, 2004, and entitled “TETHEREDELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FOR EYEGLASSES,” which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference; (iv) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.60/620,238, filed Oct. 18, 2004, entitled “EYEGLASSES WITH HEARINGENHANCED AND OTHER AUDIO SIGNAL-GENERATING CAPABILITIES,” and which ishereby incorporated herein by reference; (v) U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/647,836, filed Jan. 31, 2005, and entitled“EYEGLASSES WITH HEART RATE MONITOR,” which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference; and (vi) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.60/647,826, filed Jan. 31, 2005, and entitled “EYEWEAR WITH ELECTRICALCOMPONENTS,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

In addition, this application is related to each of: (i) U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/822,218, filed Apr. 12, 2004, and entitled“EYEGLASSES FOR WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS,” which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference; (ii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/964,011,filed Oct. 12, 2004, and entitled “TETHERED ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FOREYEGLASSES,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; (iii)U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/006,343, filed Dec. 7, 2004, andentitled “ADAPTABLE COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUES FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES,”which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; (iv) U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/078,855, filed Mar. 11, 2005, and entitled“EYEWEAR WITH RADIATION DETECTION SYSTEM,” which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference; (v) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/078,857,filed Mar. 11, 2005, and entitled “RADIATION MONITORING SYSTEM,” whichis hereby incorporated herein by reference; (vi) U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/183,269, filed Jul. 15, 2005, and entitled “EYEWEARSUPPORTING AFTER-MARKET ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS,” which is herebyincorporated herein by reference; (vii) U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/183,283, filed Jul. 15, 2005, and entitled “EVENT EYEGLASSES,” whichis hereby incorporated herein by reference; (viii) U.S. patentapplication 11/183,262, filed Jul. 15, 2005, and entitled “EYEGLASSESWITH HEARING ENHANCED AND OTHER AUDIO SIGNAL-GENERATING CAPABILITIES,”which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; (ix) U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/183,263, filed Jul. 15, 2005, and entitled“EYEGLASSES WITH A CLOCK OR OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENT,” which is herebyincorporated herein by reference; and (x) U.S. patent application Ser.No. 11/183,276, filed Jul. 15, 2005, and entitled “EYEGLASSES WITHACTIVITY MONITORING,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to glasses and more particularlyto glasses with embedded electrical components.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many of us have experienced the inconvenience of trying to listen to apiece of music from a portable device in an outdoor environment,particularly in cold weather. First, we remove the device from insideour jacket. Then, we take off our gloves to find the right song, connectthe device to a headset, and put on the headset. After we have finishedlistening, we go through the process again to put the device back intoour jacket. To a certain degree, we are somewhat used to suchprocedures. However, to look at this objectively, going through themulti-step process just to listen to a piece of music is cumbersome.Such inconvenient procedures are not limited to hearing music. Forexample, it may not be much easier for us to use the cell phones orcameras and the like.

It should be apparent from the foregoing that there is still a need toincrease the ease of handling electronic devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a pair of glasses with one or moreembedded or partially embedded electrical components. In a number of theembodiments of the invention, with one or more electrical components inthe glasses, the electrical components are much easier to operate. Forexample, you do not have to take an electronic device out from yourpocket to use it. The electronic device may already be in your glasses,and you just have to turn it on.

Embedding electrical components into glasses has become easier due to anumber of industrial trends. First is the miniaturization of electricalcomponents. Another reason is that many different styles of glasses inthe industry have more surface areas. They can have wider temples at thehinges of the frames. The wider temples might be for the placement oflogos. They can have shields at the edges of the lens holders of theframes. This can be for stylistic reasons. Or, they can be for healthreasons. For example, some people may want to minimize the amount ofsunlight or ultraviolet light going into their eyes. One way is to havesunglasses with frames or shields on frames that better fit their facialprofile. Such frames provide more areas to hold electrical components.Further, the chance for the electrical components to adversely affectthe style of the frames is reduced.

The invention can be implemented in numerous ways, including as asystem, device, apparatus, and method. Several embodiments of theinvention are discussed below.

In one embodiment, the electrical components in a pair of glassesinclude a speaker and a connector, both at least partially embedded inthe glasses. The connector can be a standard or a non-standardconnector. The connector can be a male or a female connector. Theconnector can be at different location on the glasses. For example, theconnector can be at the end of a temple of the glasses. The speaker iselectrically coupled to the connector. The connection can be with aprinted-circuit board in the glasses. The printed-circuit board can be aflexible or rigid printed-circuit board. With the connector, the glassescan access audio signals from an external device, such as a multimediaasset player.

In another embodiment, a pair of glasses includes a storage medium. Thememory device can be coupled to another electronic instrument externalto the glasses through one or more connectors at the glasses. Such apair of glasses allows file storage in the glasses.

In yet another embodiment, a pair of glasses includes a speaker, acoder/decoder, a processor and a storage medium. The pair of glasses canserve as a multimedia asset player, such as a MP3 player. There can alsobe a connector at the glasses to facilitate the transfer of multimediaassets.

In a further embodiment, one or more electrical components are in a basetethered to a pair of glasses. For example, a battery to provide powerfor the electrical components in the glasses can be in the base. Thebase itself can have a connector to allow it to be tethered to anotherelectronic device. In a number of embodiments, the base is considered tobe a part of the glasses.

Instead of just receiving signals, in one embodiment, a pair of glassesalso has a microphone and a wireless transceiver. The pair of glassesallows a user to engage in wireless communication.

In another embodiment, a pair of glasses with wireless couplingcapabilities includes a preference indicator. The indicator allows auser to indicate the user's preference regarding, for example, what isbeing output by the glasses. There can be a radio embedded in theglasses. If the user provides her preference on, for example, the songbeing played, her preferences can be remotely tracked by a third party.There can be a multimedia asset player in the glasses, with themultimedia assets wirelessly received by the glasses. If the userprovides her preference on the assets being played, these assets can bestored in a storage medium in the glasses for later consumption.

In yet another embodiment, there can be one or more knobs on theglasses, for controlling operations of electrical components in theglasses. The location and the number of knobs vary depending on theapplications.

In a further embodiment, the glasses include a camera. The cameracaptures what the user sees. In other words, what the user sees can bewhat the user gets. Images captured can be stored at a remote site. Thiscan be achieved, for example, by downloading the images to a storagedevice using a connector at the glasses. Or, if the glasses havewirelessly connection capabilities, the images can be wirelesslytransmitted to the remote site. The glasses with a camera allow the userwearing the glasses to be remotely control.

In still another embodiment, a pair of glasses includes one or moresensors. There can be different types of sensors. For example, onesensor can be used to determine if the pair of glasses is being worn.Another sensor can be used to detect an environmental condition, such asthe amount of ultraviolet radiation in the vicinity of the glasses. Yetanother sensor can be used to detect a condition of the user.

Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description, which, when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrates by way ofexample the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the invention with a speaker in one ofthe temples of the glasses.

FIG. 2 shows a tube extending from a speaker at a temple of the glassesto guide sound to one of the ears of the user according to oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows a retractable tube extending from a speaker at a temple ofthe glasses according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a funnel at the output of a speaker in the glassesaccording to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows a male connector at the end of a temple according to oneembodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate a process to make a non-standard female plugcouple to a male connector at a pair of glasses according to oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates another non-standard connector, applicable to clamponto a temple of a pair of glasses according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIGS. 8A-8E shows different embodiments of standard connectors locatedat different positions on the temple of a pair of glasses according tothe invention.

FIGS. 8F-8H are diagrams pertaining to providing a removable electronicdevice with an eyeglass frame according to one embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 8I is a diagram of a temple of an eyeglass frame according toanother embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 shows some of the electrical components for a MP3 playeraccording to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of the invention where a user is wearing apair of glasses with electrical components, tethered to a base, which isconnected to a portable device.

FIGS. 11A-11B show different embodiments of the present inventionillustrating some of the electrical components for wireless connectionsto a pair of glasses.

FIG. 12 shows a process for a personalized radio according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 shows a number of attributes of control knobs according todifferent embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 14 shows some of the electrical components for capturing imageswith a pair of glasses according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 15 shows an operation of taking actions based on images capturedwith a pair of glasses with wireless transceiver capability according toone embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16 shows an operation to provide messages to a user based on imagescaptured by a pair of glasses according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 17A is a chart that depicts examples of sensors in a pair ofglasses according to different embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 17B is a diagram of a temple arrangement according to oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 17C is a diagram of a cover that at least partially covers a templeaccording to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 17D is a diagram of a fit-over temple that at least partially fitsover a temple according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 18 shows an embodiment including an eye mask according to theinvention.

FIG. 19 shows an embodiment including a night cap according to theinvention.

FIG. 20A is a diagram illustrating a temple having a slot for receivinga removable electronic device according to one embodiment of theinvention

FIG. 20B is a diagram illustrating the temple having a recessed lowerportion according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 21A and 21B are diagrams illustrating a pair of glasses having acamera coupled thereto, according to one embodiment.

Same numerals in FIGS. 1-21B are assigned to similar elements in all thefigures. Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with referenceto FIGS. 1-2 1B. However, those skilled in the art will readilyappreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect tothese figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extendsbeyond these limited embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A number of embodiments according to the present invention regardingglasses with one or more electrical component partially or fullyembedded, will be described. Many of them are applicable to differenttypes of glasses, such as sunglasses, auxiliary frames, fit-overglasses, prescription glasses, safety glasses, swim masks, and goggles,such as ski goggles. In a number of embodiments, the frames of theglasses have more surface area than frames with minimal structure. Forexample, the temple regions of the glasses can have a taper profile.They are wider or broader when they are closer to the lens holders. Thenthey get narrower. In one embodiment, a wider or broader temple impliesthat the temple spans across a wider or broader area longitudinally downfrom the top of the head of the user. FIG. 1 shows an example of such anembodiment.

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment 100 of the invention where there is aspeaker 102 at least partially embedded in one of the temples 104 of theglasses 106. The speaker 102 is closer to one end of the temple 104 thanthe other end. The end of the temple that the speaker 102 is closer tois the end that is in the vicinity of the lens holder or the hinge ofthe glasses 106, instead of the end 108 that is free. The speaker can bepartially embedded in the glasses. For example, the mouth of thespeaker, where sometimes there can be small holes on a cover, can beexposed.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the speaker 102 outputs audio signalsin the direction towards the user. In another embodiment, the speaker102 outputs audio signals in the direction away from the user. Forexample, the mouth of the speaker 102 can be facing outwards away fromthe user.

There are different approaches to embed an electrical component into apair of glasses. For example, the glasses can be made of plastic (e.g.,plastic frames). One way to produce such frames is to first assembleelectrical components onto a circuit board. The circuit board can beshaped to fit, for example, the temple of the glasses. The circuit boardis placed into a mold. Then, hot, molten plastic is injected around thecircuit board to form the temple piece of the glasses. To reduce weight,the wall of the glasses can be made relatively thin through injectionmolding techniques.

In another embodiment, the glasses have metallic frames. For example,the frames can be made of Titanium, which is a relatively light metal.Also, Titanium is relatively non-conductive and strong, and is quiteimmune to corrosion. Further, Titanium can be anodized or heat colored.

For glasses with metallic frames, to prevent circuits from being shortedor to reduce leakage current, one embodiment provides an insulatinglayer between the electrical components or circuit board and themetallic frames. One example of an insulting layer is a tape toencapsulate the electrical components. The tape is non-conducting so asto provide insulation and, to a certain degree, can also providemechanical stiffness. One way to make such temples is to have two sheetsof the metal die-stamped to form the two halves, or the two faces of thetemple piece. A circuit board is made to fit into the space between thefaces. Then, two die-cut pieces of insulator material (e.g., dielectrictape) can cover the top and the bottom surfaces of the circuit board.The board is then sandwiched between the faces to form the temple. Inone example, the dielectric tape can be double-sided sticky tape, withone side sticking to the circuit board, and the other side sticking tothe temple. An adhesive can be used to glue the two faces of the templepiece together.

In yet another embodiment, the frames are made of hard rubber. Theframes can be manufactured in an approach similar to injection moldingtechniques, with circuit boards inserted into the mold along with therubber at the time of molding.

Different types of speakers can be used, such as, standard,fixed-magnet/moving coil speakers; speakers with fixed-coil and a steeldiaphragm; piezo-electric speakers; and electrostatic speakers.

In one embodiment, the glasses further include a tube, such as a plastictube, extending from a speaker. The tube serves to guide sound generatedby the speaker to one of the ears of the user. FIG. 2 shows anembodiment where a tube 150 is located on the outside of a temple 152.In another embodiment, the tube can be on the inside of a temple.

In one embodiment, the tube 150 can be rotated, such as from behind thetemple 152 (if the tube is on the inside of the temple) to beingdownward at an angle towards one of the ears of the user, such as theposition shown in FIG. 2. To increase flexibility, the tube can beattached to a rotating disk 154, which allows rotation about thespeaker.

In another embodiment, the tube is malleable. This allows the tube to beplaced in different positions.

In one embodiment, the length of the tube is adjustable. FIG. 3 showssuch an embodiment 200 of a pair of glasses with a retractable tube 202.In the figure, the tube is shown to be in its extended position.

To further enhance sound coupling, in one approach, there is a plug 156at the end of the tube for inserting into an ear of the user. The plugcan be an ear bud. The plug can provide a cushion, foam rubber or othermaterials. Such materials give comfort and/or enhance sound coupling tothe ear canal.

In another approach, there is a funnel at the output of the speaker.FIG. 4 shows the cross section of such a funnel from a speaker at atemple region of the glasses. As shown in FIG. 4, the speaker 254 sitson a speaker frame 252, and the speaker 254 is electrically connected toa circuit board 256. As sound is generated from the speaker 254, thesound propagates to a tube 258 through a structure 260 in the shape of afunnel. Such a structure helps guide the sound to the tube (i.e.,improved sound coupling). Also, FIG. 4 shows the tube, which can be thetube 150 shown in FIG. 2, mounted onto the temple region of the glasseswith a circular lip 262. Such a lip 262 allows the tube 258 to rotaterelative to the glasses. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the speaker254 is fully embedded in the glasses.

As an alternative to or in conjunction with the tube, the glasses caninclude a channel to likewise guide sound generated by the speaker toone of the ears of the user. For example, the channel can be formedwithin a temple. The temple also has an opening to output the soundtowards the user's ear.

FIG. 1 shows one speaker at one of the temples. There can be more thanone speaker at each temple. In one embodiment, there can also be atleast one speaker at each temple. The two speakers can generate stereoeffects.

In another embodiment, the glasses can provide four or more speakers togive a high fidelity sound or a surround sound effect. For example, eachtemple can include one speaker in front of the user's ear, and onespeaker behind the user's ear. The different speakers can generatedifferent portions or sections of the sound. Further, if a base(discussed below) or portable electronic device is coupled to theglasses, the base or portable electronic device can contain anotherspeaker, such as a base or woofer speaker. Such embodiments enable theglasses to provide a personal high-fidelity sound or a surround-soundenvironment.

Electrical signals can be coupled to an electrical component, such as aspeaker, in a pair of glasses through a number of mechanisms. In oneembodiment, there is an electrical connector at least partially embeddedin the glasses. In other words, at least a portion of the connector isinside the glasses. The connector is electrically coupled to the speaker(or other electrical component) by, for example, a conductor. Theconductor can be on a printed-circuit board. In one embodiment, theconductor is also embedded in the glasses.

Regarding connectors, FIG. 5 shows one embodiment where the connector isnot a standard connector. The end 108 of the temple 104 of the glasses106 shown in FIG. 1 has a similar connector. In FIG. 5, the connector isa male plug or a male connector 300 at the end of a temple 302 of a pairof glasses. The connector 300 is connected to the speaker through, forexample, one or more wires embedded in the temple. Electrical signalsexternal to the glasses can then be coupled to the speaker (or otherelectrical component) through the plug.

As shown in FIG. 5, the free end of the temple 302 can have a relativelyflat cross section. There can be one or more electrically-conductivecontacts, such as 304 and 306, on one or both of the flat surfaces ofthe temple. In FIG. 5, four contacts are shown on one surface of thetemple. The contacts, 304 and 306, can be metal pads or bumps.

In one embodiment, a non-standard connector can be made usingprinted-circuit board technologies. First, a printed-circuit board withprinted conductors connected to metal contact bumps is produced. Thenplastic is overmolded around the printed-circuit board, with the molddesigned to shut off around the bumps or pads. The overmolded plasticcan serve as the temple, and the pads would be left exposed. Thus,portions of the printed circuit board are covered by plastic, and areaswith the bumps or pads are exposed for connection. These pads serve asthe connectors for the glasses.

Regarding printed-circuit boards, there can be one or more circuitboards in the glasses. For example, there can be a circuit board in oneof the temples of the glasses. Or, the circuits can be divided into twocircuit boards, one in each temple of the glasses. The circuit boardscan carry additional electrical components to be described below.

In one embodiment, the circuit boards are rigid. In another embodiment,the circuit boards are made of flexible materials, such as a polyimidesheet, like Kapton®. In one embodiment, the circuit board is configuredor adapts to the shape of the temple in which it resides.

As shown in FIG. 5, the end of the temple 302 serves as a male connector(plug) 300. The non-standard male connector 300 can be received by anon-standard female connector (plug) 310. Typically, the femaleconnector 310 makes electrical and physical connection through grabbingaround the male plug. The female connector 310 can be connected to acable 312.

FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate a process to make the non-standard female plug310. First, an electrical wire 354 is attached to a small sheet or pieceof metal 356. FIG. 6A shows a number of such wires, with a number of themetal sheets or pieces crimped to a hard PVC 358. The figure shows theback side of the crimped board with the wires and with a number ofholes, such as 360. Then the frame is overmolded with a soft PVC. FIG.6B shows a cross section of the overmoded frame 362 with the soft PVC.As shown in the figure, a number of the metal sheets, such as 364 and366, are exposed. They are the metal contacts in the female connector310. Instead of the above approach, alternatively, a wire can beattached to a sheet of metal by putting the wire between the metal andthe plastic as the metal is crimped onto a plastic. When the temple(i.e., male connector 300) is inserted into the female plug, the softPVC material stretches slightly, providing a spring-force to keep thecontacts connected.

The hard PVC can have a hardness of over 80 durometer, while the softPVC can have a hardness of less than 50 durometer. The hard PVC can bereplaced by other materials, such as Polypropylene or cloth. The softPVC can be replaced by Silicone, or a thermo-plastic elastomer, such asKraton®.

Referring to both FIG. 5 and FIG. 6B, when the male connector 300 isinserted into the slot 314 of the female connector 310, the metal pads,304 and 306, will get in contact, or mate, with the metal sheets, 364and 366.

In one embodiment, as long as the male connector 300 is pushed all theway into the female connector 310, the pads are aligned correctly to thesheets for electrical connections. In another embodiment, there is analignment mechanism to guide the position of the temple relative to thefemale connector so as to ensure the conductive sheets to be in contactwith the conductive pads. For example, there can be a registrationlocation to indicate that the male connector is at the appropriateposition relative to the female connector. There can be an alignmentextension, which can be a partial sphere, close to the end of the temple302, such as between the pads 304 and 306, at 316. And, there can be acorresponding alignment notch at the female connector 310. When theextension is received or caught by the notch, the male connector 300 isin the appropriate position relative to the female connector 310. Inother words, the alignment is proper, and the pads and the sheets are incontact.

FIG. 5 shows the non-standard male connector 300 at one end of a templeof a pair of glasses. In yet another embodiment, a non-standardconnector can be at another location. FIG. 7 shows another example of anon-standard connector 400. The connector 400 includes one or moreconductive pads, 412 and 414, on the top side of a temple 402. Theconnector 400 is designed to receive another connector 406 that grabsonto the side of the temple 402. There can be an indentation 404 on thetemple 402 to receive the other connector 406. The other connector 406can include a top 420 and a bottom 416 clip. There are a number ofconductive pads or sheets inside the other connector 406. Theindentation 404 provides an alignment to indicate where the top clip 420of the other connector 406 should grab onto the temple 402 forconnection. At that position, the conductive pads at the temple will bein contact with the conductive pads or sheets at the other connector406. There can also be another indentation 418 at the temple 402 toreceive the bottom clip 416. This can further enhance the alignmentprocess and to secure the connection.

In FIG. 7, the other connector 406 is coupled to one end of a cord and aplug 408, which can be inserted into a portable device 410, can beconnected to another end of the cord. The portable device, for example,can be a cell phone. This type of non-standard clip-type connector couldbe easily applied to the temple with one hand, for example, while theuser is driving a car.

A number of non-standard connectors have been described. In anotherembodiment, the contacts are based on standard connectors, which can beoff-the-shelf connectors. FIGS. 8A-8E show a number of examples of suchconnectors.

In one embodiment, the standard connector is a standard cylindrical pluglocated at the end of a temple. From a different perspective, the templemolds around the end of the plug. FIG. 8A shows one such embodiment. Theplug 450 can be a standard audio connector or a 3-wire or three terminalplug, such as a 3.5 mm male stereo mini-phone plug. The 3 wires for sucha plug are typically one for ground, the other two applicable for twosignals, such as for creating stereo effects. FIG. 8A also shows thethree wires, 452, 454 and 456, inside the temple, extended from the plug450. These wires are for connection to electrical components of theglasses.

In one embodiment, the cylindrical plug 450 shown in FIG. 8A can beprotected, encapsulated or shrouded. Or, at least a portion of the plugis protected, encapsulated or shrouded. Such protection can, forexample, be for esthetic reasons, or to prevent the plug from scratchingthe face of the user when the user is putting on the pair of glasses. InFIG. 8A, the plug 450 is partially embedded in a temple.

Instead of a three terminal plug, other types of standard cylindricalplugs applicable to different embodiments of the present inventioninclude a serial connector with 3 pins, typically one for ground, onefor transmitting data (Tx) and the third for receiving data (Rx); or (b)a 2-wire connector, one served as ground, the other for carrying, suchas power and modulated signals.

In yet another embodiment, instead of a cylindrical plug, the standardconnector at the end of a temple of a pair of glasses is a USB or aFIREWIRE connector.

A number of embodiments have been described where the standardconnector(s) at the glasses are male connectors. In yet anotherembodiment, the standard connector(s) in the glasses are femaleconnectors. For example, there can be a 3.5 mm female stereo mini-phoneplug at the end of a temple of a pair of glasses. At least a portion ofthe female connector can be protected, encapsulated or shrouded. Forexample, the female connector can be recessed within the end of atemple.

FIGS. 8B-8E show different examples of standard connectors located orpartially embedded not at the end of a temple of a pair of glasses, but,for example, on the side of the temple, such as on the inside surface orthe outside surface of a temple. FIG. 8B shows a 0.10″ header plug 460,commonly known as a MOLEX connector, on such a surface. FIG. 8C shows afemale mini-phone plug 465 on such a surface. FIG. 8D shows a cardconnector 470 to receive a card 472, such as a removable media card(e.g., memory card). There can be a cover 474 to secure and/or protectthe media card 472 in place after it is inserted into the card connector470. FIG. 8E shows a female USB connector 480 on the inside surface of atemple 482 to receive a male USB connector 484.

FIGS. 8F-8H are diagrams pertaining to providing a removable electronicdevice with an eyeglass frame according to one embodiment of theinvention. FIG. 8F illustrates a temple 490 that includes a connector492. The connector 492 includes an opening 494. A removable electronicdevice can be coupled to the temple 490 using the connector 492. Moreparticularly, FIG. 8G illustrates a removable electronic device 496 thatincludes an electronic device housing 498 and a connector 499. As anexample, the removable electronic device 496 can be a memory storagedevice, sometimes referred to as a memory card. FIG. 8H illustrates theremovable electronic device 496 coupled to the temple 490. The removableelectronic device 496 is coupled to one side of the temple 490, suchside can be either an inside or outside surface of the eyeglass frame.When the removable electronic device 496 is coupled to the temple 490,the connector 499 of the removable electronic device 496 is insertedinto the opening 494 of the connector 492. Physical forces between theconnector 499 and the connector 492 operate to secure the removableelectronic device 496 to the temple 490, yet permit the removableelectronic device 496 to be removable therefrom.

In one embodiment, the connector 492 is not electrically connected toany electronic circuitry within the temple 490 or other parts of theeyeglass frame. In other words, the connector 492 provides a convenientmeans by which removable electronic devices can be coupled to theeyeglass frame. In another embodiment, the connector 492 can be coupledto electrical circuitry within the temple 490 or elsewhere within theeyeglass frame. Such an embodiment allows the electronic componentswithin the removable electronic device 496 to be utilized with theelectrical circuitry within the temple 490 or elsewhere within theeyeglass frame. For example, the removable electronic device 496 canprovide data storage and/or other software modules to be utilized by orto utilize the other electrical circuitry within the temple 490 orelsewhere within the eyeglass frame. In any case, by attaching theremovable electronic device 496 to the temple 490 (and thus the eyeglassframe), the removable electronic device 496 is able to be convenientlycarried by the user of the eyeglass frame. In one implementation, theeyeglass frame, which includes the connector 492, becomes a dockingstation for the removable electronic device 496. As such, a variety ofdifferent removable electronic devices can be interconnected with theeyeglass frame, as desired. For example, the eyeglass frame can thussupport different function or operations depending on the removableelectronic device that is attached. For example, the eyeglass framemight operate as a camera, data storage device, FM radio, MP3 player,mobile telephone, pedometer, hearing enhancer, sun sensor, time piece,etc.

In one embodiment, the removable electronic device 496 can align itselfwith the orientation of the temple 490, such as shown in FIG. 8H. InFIG. 8G, the electronic device housing 498 can be said to have anelongated housing. The configuration (e.g., shape) and/or color of theremovable electronic device 496 can also be designed to conform orcomplement the design of the temple 490. In one embodiment, the temple490 might also have a recessed region to allow the portable electronicdevice to be less visually perceptible when attached to the temple 490or to provide a more consistent contour of the temple 490.

In one embodiment, the connector 499 is a male connector, and theconnector 492 is a female connector or a similarly sized structure. Inone implementation the connector 499 is a peripheral bus connector, suchas a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector. In such cases, the connector492 can also be a peripheral bus connector (either electricallyfunctional or non-functional as noted above).

Although the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8F-8H utilize connectors,namely, electrical connectors, the removable electronic device 496 couldbe attached to the temple in other ways. For example, other means toprovide physical forces to hold the removable electronic device 496 inplace can be used.

FIG. 8I is a diagram of a temple of an eyeglass frame according toanother embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the temple 490′includes an opening 491 through which a cable 493 extends outward. Thecable 493 has an electrical connector 495 connected at its end. Theelectrical connector 495 is electrically connected to electricalcircuits within the temple 490′ or elsewhere within the eyeglass framesuch as by way of one or more wires contained within the cable 493. Inone implementation, the length of the cable 493 is about one to fourinches. The temple 490′ shown in FIG. 8I also includes a receptacle 497.The receptacle 497 is affixed to or integral with the temple 490 toreceive the electrical connector 495. Typically, the receptacle 497provides a holding mechanism for the electrical connector 495 when notbeen utilized. When the electrical connector 495 is being utilized, theelectrical connector 495 is removed from the receptacle 497 and coupledto a corresponding counterpart connector of another electrical device.The cord 493 can provide ease-of-use so that the electrical connector495 can be maneuvered to couple to the counterpart connector. In oneembodiment, the temple 490′ can provide a recess for receiving theentire cable 493, with the outer surface of the receptacle 497 beingsubstantially flush to the surface of the temple 490. So when theconnector 495 is not in use, the connector 495 can be in the receptacle497, with the cable 493 in the recess. In one embodiment, when the cable493 is in the recess and the connector 495 inside the receptacle 497,the cable 493 has substantially no slack. Also, in another embodiment,the cable 493 can be retractable into the opening 491. In the embodimentshown in FIG. 8I, the electrical connector 495 is a male connector, andthe receptacle 497 is a female connector or a similarly sized structure.

A number of standard and non-standard connectors have been described.Other types of connectors can also be used. In one embodiment, there isa connector adapter, which serves to transform such other type ofconnectors to a different interface. For example, an adapter can be acord with one type of connector at one end and a different type ofconnector at the other end.

In one or more of the above embodiments, the glasses can access audiosignals from another device through a connector at the glasses. Theanother device can be a multimedia asset players or a radio.

In one embodiment of the invention, the glasses have a storage medium(i.e., memory). The memory can be on a printed-circuit board and, forexample, store 256 MBs or more. The memory can be a built-in orremovable flash memory. The memory can be coupled to a device externalto the glasses through one or more connectors at the glasses. As anexample, a 256 MB flash memory is in one of the temples of a pair ofglasses, and there is a USB connector at the free end of that temple tocouple to an external device.

With the embedded storage medium, the glasses can upload information inthe memory to or download information into the memory from an externaldevice, such as a computer. A user can plug the glasses into thecomputer through a connector, either directly, or indirectly, with, forexample, an intermediate wire in between. The user can store files inthe glasses. Such an embodiment should reduce the chances of the userlosing the files because the user has to lose the glasses as well.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, a pair of glasses includes amultimedia asset player, such as a MP3 player. FIG. 9 shows some of theelectrical components for a MP3 player 500 according to an embodiment ofthe invention. The player 500 includes a speaker 502 and a data bus 512,which facilitates data transfer among, for example, a processor 506, astorage device 510, and a coder/decoder (CODEC) 504. The processor 506,which can be a microprocessor or controller, controls the operation ofthe player 500. The storage device 510 stores the multimedia assets,such as MP3 files, or other types of media data that are appropriatelyformatted. In one example, the MP3 files are digitally encoded songs orother types of audio signals. The storage device 510 can include anumber of separate storage elements. For example, the device 510 can bea flash memory device, or a minidisk device, and a cache, which canimprove the access time and reduce power consumption of the storagedevice. The storage device 510 typically also includes a Read-OnlyMemory (ROM), which stores programs, utilities or processes to beexecuted in a non-volatile manner. The player 500 can also include aRAM, such as for the cache.

Once a media asset, such as a song, is selected to be played, theprocessor 506 would supply the asset to the CODEC 504, whichdecompresses the asset and produces analog output signals for thespeaker 502. In one embodiment, the bus 512 is also coupled to aninput/output device 508, which would allow a user to upload songs in theglasses to an external instrument, such as a computer, or download songsfrom the instrument to the glasses.

There are different approaches to select a song. In one embodiment, thesongs or the media assets can be categorized in the MP3 player, and thecategorization can be hierarchical, with multiple levels in thehierarchy. To illustrate, assume that there are three levels. The toplevel can be the name of the singer; the second level can be the timeperiod when the asset was produced, and the third level can be the namesof the songs. The entries, such as the name of the singer, can beabbreviated. There can be a small display and a control knob to allow auser to scroll down entries in a level. By pushing the knob, the userselects an entry, which can lead the user to a lower level. There can bean entry for moving up a level also. In another embodiment, the displayis a touch-screen display, allowing entries to be entered directly onthe display. In yet another embodiment, entries can be selected based onvoice recognition.

A number of embodiments have been described with the glasses having aconnector. In one embodiment, the glasses can have more than oneconnector. For example, a pair of glasses with two connectors also has aspeaker. One connector is, for example, at a broad side of a temple, asin FIG. 8D. The connector can be for coupling to multimedia assets of aMP3 player. Another connector is, for example, at the end of a temple,as in FIG. 8A. That connector can couple power to the glasses. Thespeaker can play the multimedia assets accessed from one connector,based on power from another connector.

As described, power (e.g., external power source) can be coupled to theglasses through a connector. In one embodiment, the power source isembedded inside or inserted into the glasses. Different types of powersources are applicable. For example, the power source can be a battery,a fuel cell, a solar cell, or a re-chargeable battery. The rechargeablebattery can be charged through a connector at the glasses.

In an earlier application, namely, U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 60/509,631, filed Oct. 9, 2003, and entitled “TETHERED ELECTRICALCOMPONENTS FOR EYEGLASSES,” which has been incorporated herein byreference, there can be a base connected to the glasses through a cord.The cord can be just a piece of flexible conductor encapsulated by aflexible insulator. Typically, a cord includes a number of electricalwires or conductors. There can be one or more electrical components inthe base, and there can also be one or more electrical components in thecord. The different types of connectors previously described can belocated in the base. In one embodiment, a power source is an electricalcomponent in the base tethered to a pair of glasses. In anotherembodiment, the glasses are tethered to a base that has a connector. Theconnector is connected to and draws power from an external electronicdevice. In this embodiment, electrical components in the glasses drawpower from the external electronic devices.

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment where a user 550 is wearing a pair ofglasses 552, which include electrical components. There are alsotethered electrical components in a base 554, which is connected to theglasses 552 through a cord 556. In addition, there is a wire 558connected to a connector at the base 554 to a portable electronic device560. The portable device 560 can be (a) a multimedia device, such as aMP3 player/recorder or a minidisk players, (b) a wireless communicationdevice, such as a cell phone, or (c) a personal digital assistant, orother types of portable devices with computing and/or entertainingand/or communication capabilities.

Note that instead of connecting to the portable electronic device 560through the base 554, in another embodiment, the glasses 552 directlyconnect to the portable device 560 through a cord.

In one embodiment, there is an attachment device 562, such as a pin orclip. The attachment device attaches at least a part of the glasses tothe user's clothing. The attachment device 562 can serve to attach thecord 556 and/or the wire 558 and/or the base 554 to the user's clothing.The attachment can also be through other mechanisms, such as Velcro.

In a number of embodiments, the speaker described is assumed to emitaudio signals. In one embodiment, the speaker emits ultrasonic signals.The glasses can be used, for example, as an insect repellant bytransmitting ultrasound to repel insects, such as mosquitoes. In thisembodiment, the one or more speakers broadcast the ultrasonic signalsaway from the user. In other words, the speakers face outwards, notinwards towards the user. In this embodiment, the glasses, which caninclude a base, also has a power source to provide power to the speaker.There can also be a control knob to turn the one or more speakers on/offon the glasses. There will be additional discussions on the control knobbelow.

In another embodiment, the glasses generating ultrasonic signals can beused to produce audio signals that are more directional. For example,two ultrasonic signals are generated by a speaker in the glasses, withtheir difference frequencies being the audio signals. The audio signalsgenerated based on mixing the two ultrasonic signals can be much moredirectional than audio signals directly generated from the speaker.

Referring back to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the glasses include amicrophone 110. The microphone 110 can be at the end of a temple 104close to a lens holder 112. Or, the microphone 110 can be in the lensholder 112, located directly adjacent to the temple 104. In yet anotherembodiment, there can be a small protrusion extending down from thetemple to house the microphone.

With glasses having a microphone, one can use the glasses to recordvoices into, for example, a storage medium. The storage medium can be inthe glasses, or can be in a base or a portable device attached to theglasses.

Different types of microphones can be used. For example, they can beelectret microphones, crystal microphones, resistance microphones,piezoelectric microphones or moving-coil microphones.

In one embodiment, the glasses with a microphone also include a speakerthat can generate directional sound. A user can speak into themicrophone and his message can be transmitted from the glasses in a moredirectional manner.

In another embodiment, the glasses also include a notificationelectrical component to provide a notification to the user wearing theglasses. The notification can be to notify, alert or display informationto the user. There can be a display located at the inside 114 of thelens holder, or at the vicinity of the junction 116 or the hinge of alens holder and its corresponding temple facing the user. Or, there canbe a display at the inside surface of a temple, or at other locations onthe glasses. The display can be one or more light emitting diodes. Toalert the user, one or more diodes can blink. The blinking can be of aspecific sequence. Instead of diodes, the display can be a liquidcrystal display. The display can provide indications or information tothe user. For example, a number or a variable-height bar can be shown.Other than visual indications, the notification or alert can be audio,like a beeper.

In one embodiment, the notification electrical component is forselecting a multimedia asset in a multimedia asset player in a pair ofglasses for the multimedia to play. The multimedia asset player can be aMP3 player.

A number of embodiments of the present invention have been describedwhere electrical signals are transmitted to or from a pair of glassesthrough a physical connection. In one embodiment, electrical signals arewirelessly coupled to a pair of glasses. The coupling can be short rangeor long range. The coupling can be directly to the glasses, or to a baseconnected to a pair of glasses. The glasses with wireless couplingcapabilities can be used to couple to a Bluetooth network, the Internet,a WiFi network, a WiMax network, a cell-phone network or other types ofnetworks. The coupling can also be through a point-to-point link, suchas an infrared link.

FIGS. 11A-11B show examples of some of the electrical components in ortethered to a pair of glasses for wireless connections, according toembodiments of the present invention. In FIG. 11A, a high frequency orRF antenna 602 wirelessly captures high frequency or RF signals for RFtransceiver circuits 604. If the transceiver circuits are for aconventional superheterodyne system, the transceiver circuits 604 mixthe RF signals down to IF signals. Then the IF signals are processed bybaseband circuits. Digital outputs from the baseband circuits arecoupled to a processor 608 for analysis and synthesis.

Outputs from the processor 608 are fed to a D-to-A converter 610 togenerate audio signals for a speaker 612. Similarly, audio analogsignals from a microphone 614 can be fed to an A-to-D converter 616 togenerate digital low frequency signals for the processor 608 and then tothe RF transceiver circuits 604. The low frequency signals areup-converted by the RF transceiver circuits 604 and wirelesslytransmitted by the antenna 602.

In another embodiment, digital conversion is moved closer to theantenna. For example, instead of mixing RF into IF signals, the RFtransceiver circuits 604 directly perform digital conversion from the RFsignals.

Typically, high frequency filters are used at the front end of the RFtransceiver circuits 604 for the RF signals. In one embodiment, to savespace, FBAR (film bulk acoustic resonator) duplexer is employed. A setof piezoelectric filters can be used to separate incoming and outgoingsignals. For cell phone operation, such filters can enable a user tohear and speak simultaneously. A number of these electronic devices canbe on a circuit board in the glasses. Or, some of the devices are in theglasses, while other in the base tethered to the glasses.

FIG. 11B shows another example of some of the electrical components inor tethered to a pair of glasses for wireless connections according tothe present invention. In this embodiment, there does not need to havedigital data. A speaker 620 and a microphone 622 are connected to ananalog interface circuit 624, which is coupled to a RF transceivercircuit 626 and an antenna 628. For the speaker application, thetransceiver circuit 626 mixes the RF signals down into IF signals, whichare converted by the analog interface circuit 624 into analog signalsfor the speaker 620. Similarly, for the microphone application, itsanalog signals are converted into the IF signals by the analog interfacecircuit 624 to be up converted by the transceiver circuit 626 into RFsignals for the antenna 628. These types of circuitry are suitable for,such as, simple radios, analog cell phones, CB radios, walkee-talkees,police radios or intercom systems.

In one embodiment, most of the electrical components are not in theglasses. The pair of glasses includes an antenna to capture the wirelesssignals, and a connector. The wireless signals captured are transmittedthrough the connector to electrical circuits external to the glasses.

A number of processors have been described. The processors can usedifferent types of operating systems. In one embodiment, SymbianOperating Systems are used. In another embodiment, operating systems,such as TinyOS, are used. The operating system could be programmed inC++ and then compiled into machine codes.

For privacy protection, signals can be encrypted before transmission.Encryption can take significant computation power, and may generate afair amount of heat. In one embodiment, encryption capabilities arelocated in a base tethered to the glasses. There can be a fan inside thebase. The fan can be turned on during encryption. In another embodiment,the fan is activated during other high capacity uses for heatdissipation purposes.

In yet another embodiment, there is a fan in the glasses. The fan islocated at a temple of the glasses, in the region close to its lensholder. The fan is used to cool the wearer of the glasses.

In one embodiment, a pair of glasses has access to voice recognitionsoftware. The software can be embedded in (a) the glasses, (b) a basetethered to the glasses, (c) a portable device wired or wirelesslycoupled to the glasses or to the base, or (d) a computing system wiredor wirelessly coupled to the glasses. Or, the software or firmware canbe in more than one of the above devices.

Glasses that can couple to signals wirelessly can be used in differentapplications. For example, the glasses can be a cell phone wireless headset, such as a Bluetooth cordless headset. Such short-distance wirelesstechnologies allow the headset to connect to the user's cell phonewithout a wire. This would allow the user to drive, eat or perform otherfunctions without getting tangled in a pesky wire.

In one embodiment, the cell phone is a VOIP (voice over Internetprotocol) phone.

In one embodiment, for the glasses operating as a cell phone head set,the head set includes active noise cancellation mechanism. For example,the glasses include two microphones. One microphone is for capturing thevoice of the user. But the microphone captures ambient noise also. Itcan be embedded in a protrusion extending from the end of the templeclose to a lens holder, towards the mouth of the user, as the microphone110 in FIG. 1. Another microphone can be located at the top of one ofthe lens holders pointing away from the mouth of the user. Thismicrophone is for capturing ambient noise. As a first orderapproximation, outputs from the two microphones could be subtracted fromeach other to provide voice signals with noise reduced.

In yet another embodiment, the glasses with wireless couplingcapabilities also have a multimedia asset player, such as a MP3 player.The glasses can be used to receive music directly in digital formatover, for example, a data-capable network of a mobile operator. Themusic can be received, for example, at a speed of 16 Kbits per second,providing sound quality close to compact disc. If the music istransmitted in a compressed manner, such as in a MP3 format, then themusic data can be received at a much lower speed. In one embodiment, theglasses also have a microphone and can serve as a cellular phone or awireless headset of a cellular phone.

In yet another embodiment, the glasses can serve as a radio, againthrough electrical components in or tethered to the glasses. In thisembodiment, the glasses can include a tuner with one or more controlknobs. The knobs can be used to select channels and to set the volume.

In one embodiment, a pair of glasses allows personalization by includinga preference indicator. The indicator allows a user to provide hispreference, such as on whatever is being output by the glasses. In oneexample, the glasses also has a radio having a speaker and withelectrical components for wireless connection. In this example, theindicator can be used by the user to provide his preference regardingwhatever is being played by the radio at that time. This preference canbe wirelessly transmitted from the glasses to a third party. Toillustrate, when the user is listening to a piece of music, the user canindicate he likes the piece of music by pressing a control knob on theglasses. This piece of preference information is then transmitted andreceived by a service provider, which is then informed of the user'spreference. Instead of a control knob, in another embodiment, thepreference indicator is a system with a microphone and voice recognitionsoftware. The user can indicate his preference vocally.

In another example regarding the personalization process, the glassescan serve as a multimedia asset player, such as a MP3 player. The songthat the user has shown preference can be stored in a storage device,which can be in the glasses.

FIG. 12 shows a process 650 according to one embodiment of the presentinvention for a personalized radio.

Initially, a pair of glasses according to the present invention receives652 a piece of music from a radio station. That piece of music is stored654 in a buffer or a temporary storage area. This temporary storage areacan be in the glasses or tethered to the glasses. The piece of music isalso sent 656 to a speaker in the glasses.

Assume that the user likes the music. Based on the preference indicator,the user shows his preference. After the glasses receive 658 anindication of the user's preference, the glasses determine 660 the songcorresponding to the indication. That piece of music can then be moved662 from the buffer to a permanent storage area, such as into a flashmemory. This would then allow the user to subsequently access the pieceof music.

There are different ways to determine 660 the song or the content beingplayed by the radio corresponding to the indication. For example, onerule is that when the user pushes the preference button or voices hispreference, the song (or media asset or media file) that is being playedis the one the user likes. Since the operating system knows what song isbeing played at what time, based on the rule, the song of preference isdetermined. Another rule is that when the user shows his preference, andthere is no song being played at that instance, the song immediatelypreceding the break is the song of preference.

In another embodiment, the glasses can get 664 an identification for thesong of preference. For example, the glasses can ask the user to providean identification for the piece of music. This identification can be thetype of music, the singer, the name of the music or otheridentification. In another embodiment, there can be meta data embedded,such as in the beginning part of the music (or media asset). Having suchmeta data embedded is not uncommon for music in digital format. The metadata can include identifications for the music. The glasses can get 664such identification. Based on the identification, the song iscategorized 666 accordingly, such as grouped with other songs having thesame identification. Such categorization process would enhance the easeof accessing the song by the user at a later time.

A number of control knobs have been described. FIG. 13 shows a number ofattributes 700 regarding control knobs according to the presentinvention. The knobs can be of different physical structure 702. Forexample, a control knob can be a roller, a switch or a push-button. Acontrol knob serving as an up/down controller can use two buttons, or aroller.

A control knob can be more intelligent 704. For example, a push-buttoncontrol knob can serve different purposes depending on the duration theknob is being pushed. If a user pushes it for more than three seconds,the knob serves as an on-off toggle switch. In another example, a knobcan serve multiple purposes, and the specific purpose depends on thenumber of times the knob is pushed.

A knob can also be programmed. A user can connect the glasses to acomputer and program the knob accordingly. For example, one can programa knob such that if the knob is pushed more than three seconds, the knobwould serve as an on/off switch for the glasses.

The location 706 of a control knob can vary for different applications.A control knob can be located on the glasses. A control knob can be onthe top, the side or the bottom of the temple. A control knob can belocated at the inside of a temple facing the user. Assume that there area number of control knobs and all of them are on the edges of a temple,except one. By being at a position different from other control knobs,this knob can serve a specific purpose. For example, it can be an on/offcontrol knob. In yet another embodiment, a control knob can be locatedin a base tethered to the glasses.

The number 708 of control knobs can vary depending on operations. Forexample, there is an on/off control knob and a volume up/down controlknob. If the glasses are used for cell phone headset application, in oneembodiment, there is also an answer/hang-up control knob. If the glassesserve as a radio, in one embodiment, there is also a tuning controlknob, which can be two push buttons. If the glasses serve as a CDplayer, in one embodiment, there is a play control knob, a stop controlknob, and a skip forward/backward control knob. If the glasses serve asa multimedia asset player, such as a MP3 player, in one embodiment,there is a save-this-song control knob, a skip-forward/backward-songcontrol knob and a select-song-to-play control knob.

A number of embodiments of the present invention have been describedregarding audio signals. In one embodiment, the glasses further serve asa camera.

FIG. 14 shows one embodiment of electrical components in a pair ofglasses with image capturing capabilities. A processor 752 is coupled toa CCD interface chip 754 and then to a CCD chip 756. Images focused by alens 758 are captured and collected by the CCD chip. In anotherembodiment, there is also be a flash controller 760 connected to theprocessor 752 to control a flash 762.

In one embodiment, a number of pixels of the CCD chip 756 are used aslight sensors. The pixels can be used to adjust the sensitivity of theCCD chip 756 based on the amount of ambient light. For example, if theoutside environment is dim, it would take a longer period of time tocollect enough charges by the CCD chip 756 to re-create the image. Thisimplies that the integration time of the CCD chip 756 should increase.

In yet another embodiment, the camera can pertain to a video camera. Thecapacity of the memory 753 increases so as to store the video images.

In one embodiment, the glasses do not offer adjustment on the imagedistance. The CCD chip 756 can be located, for example, at the focalpoint of the lens 758. In another embodiment, there is an image distancecontrol knob. For example, a mechanical lever can be pre-programmed orpre-set to move the lens to one or more different positions. Oneposition can be for close-up shots, such as objects from 2 to 4 ft, andanother for scenic or vista images, such as objects greater than 6 ft.

Depending on the embodiment, electrical components of a camera can be ina pair of glasses, and/or a base tethered to the glasses, and/or aportable device tethered to the glasses or to the base. For example, thememory 753 can be in the base tethered to the glasses.

The location of the lens 758 can vary depending on the embodiment. Inone embodiment, referring to FIG. 1, one location is at the bridge ofthe glasses, with the lens of the camera facing forward. In thissituation, what the user sees is substantially what the captured imagewould be. In other words, in a general sense, what the user sees is whatthe user gets. With such an embodiment, it is relatively easy for a userto take pictures, hands-free. In another embodiment, another locationfor the lens 758 are at a side portion adjacent to a lens holder, beforethe joint of the corresponding temple, such as at 116 in FIG. 1. Again,the lens of the camera faces forward. Some of the electrical componentsof the camera can be in that location, and other components in thetemple 104. These components are electrically connected through one ofthe joints, such as with a flexible pc board. In yet another embodiment,the lens 758 can face sideways and outwards in a temple of a pair ofglasses, towards the left or right side of the user.

Regarding storing the images, in one embodiment, the images are storedlocally. One approach to determine which image to store is thefirst-in-first-out approach. Once the camera is turned on, the cameratakes pictures continually in an automatic mode, such as once every fewseconds. When the memory becomes full or under other pre-set orpre-programmed condition, the first picture stored will be deleted whenthe next picture comes in. In another embodiment, the digital content inone picture is compared to the digital content in, for example, thefifth picture further down. If the difference between the two is notmore than a pre-set threshold, the four pictures in between will bedeleted. One approach to determine the difference is by comparing thetotal charges collected by the CCD chip for the two images. If the twosets of charges do not differ by more than a certain threshold, theimages in between would be deleted.

The images captured can also be stored at a remote site. For example,the glasses can upload the images to a computer, wirelessly or through awired connection from a connector at the glasses.

FIG. 15 shows an operation 800 of taking certain actions based on imagescaptured by a pair of glasses with a wireless transceiver, according toone embodiment of the invention. This operation can be used by a policeofficer on patrol. Before the officer gets out of his patrol vehicle toconfront a suspect, the officer can inform the station. At that point,the camera is turned on 802.

There can be different approaches to turn on the camera. In oneembodiment, an operator at the station can remind the officer to turn onthe camera. Or, the operator can remotely turn on the camera. In yetanother embodiment, the camera can be automatically turned on undercertain condition. One such condition is that if the camera is out ofthe patrol vehicle, the camera is automatically turned on. With theglasses having the capability to wirelessly communicate with the patrolvehicle, one method to detect if the glasses are out of the patrolvehicle is based on the wireless signal strength of the glasses. Thepatrol vehicle can detect the signal strength of the wireless signals,which depends on the distance between glasses and the vehicle. Athreshold can be set. If the signal strength is below the presetthreshold, the glasses would be assumed to be out of the car, and thecamera would be automatically turned on.

After the camera is turned on 802, the glasses start to continually take804 pictures, such as once every few seconds. The pictures taken areautomatically transmitted back 806 to the patrol vehicle in a wirelessmanner. In this situation, the patrol vehicle serves as a hub, whichstores the pictures. Then, the hub re-transmits 808 the pictures back tothe station. Note that the pictures can be compressed by standardalgorithms before they are transmitted. This compression mechanism canbe performed by a computer in the patrol vehicle. When the station getsthe pictures, they are de-compressed before being viewed, such as by theoperator. The pictures enable the operator at the station to see whatthe officer is confronting. This effectively allows the operator at thestation to perform real-time monitoring of or for the officer. If it isa high risk situation, the operator can quickly react 810, such as bydispatching additional support for the officer. In one embodiment, theglasses can include not only a camera but also a microphone for audiopickup, such as sounds from the officer, suspect, witness orenvironmental sounds (such as door opening, gun shot, etc.).

Regarding ownership of the glasses, the user can own the glasses. In oneembodiment, the user leases the glasses from a provider. For example,the user leases a ski goggle with a camera. After the user turns on thecamera, as the user skis, the goggle automatically takes pictures.Later, the user can return the goggle to the provider or a kiosk, wherethe pictures can be retrieved and/or stored. Alternatively, the gogglecan include a wireless transceiver and the images could be uploadedcontinually or automatically to the provider or the kiosk via a wirelessnetwork. The provider or the kiosk can transmit the images to a website,such as a website associated with the user. In another embodiment, theuser picks up hardcopies of the images, e.g., a CD with the images or aDVD with the video, from the provider or the kiosk.

In one embodiment, the glasses allow the user to enter hisidentification. This can be done, for example, through a control knob atthe glasses. Such identification is then linked to the images. Based onthe identification, the user can return to the provider or kiosk at asubsequent time to pick up the images previously left behind.

In yet another embodiment, the pair of glasses with a camera also has aspeaker and a wireless transceiver. It can be used to remotely controlor direct the user wearing the glasses. FIG. 16 shows one such operation850 according to one embodiment.

To illustrate the operation 850, assume that the user is a paramedichelping a patient. The glasses continually take pictures 852 of objectsdirectly in front of the paramedic, such as images around four feet awayfrom the eyes of the paramedic. The pictures are wirelessly transmitted854 to a remote site, such as a hospital, to be viewed by a doctor.Again, this transmission can be a two-step process. For example,pictures can be transmitted to the paramedic's ambulance, which can thenre-transmit to the remote site. The first transmission from the glassesto the ambulance can be through a low-power, short-range, broadband,wireless transmission protocol. The second transmission from theambulance to the hospital can be through a much longer-range, higherpower, broadband, wireless transmission protocol. Again, compression andde-compression techniques can be used to enhance the rate oftransmission by reducing the amount of data to be transmitted.

Based on the images, the doctor sends out voice messages to theparamedic. These messages are wirelessly transmitted to and received 856by the glasses. The speaker in the glasses outputs 858 the messages tothe paramedic.

In another embodiment, the glasses also have a microphone, which allowsthe paramedic to communicate directly with the doctor also.

In one embodiment, the glasses can take pictures and can be a multimediaasset player. Pictures and the multimedia assets can share the samememory storage device. In this situation, the capacity for themultimedia assets and pictures can be interrelated. For example, a usercan take more pictures if there are less multimedia assets, such asfewer songs in the storage device.

A number of embodiments have been described regarding electricalcomponents in the temples of glasses. The locations selected are forillustration purposes. In other embodiments, some of the components areembedded fully or partially in other areas of the glasses, such as thelens holders or the bridges of the glasses. For example, there areglasses where there are shields at the edges of the lens holders of theglasses. These shields can wrap around, or better conform to the profileof, the face of the wearer. There can be transparent or translucentwindows on these shields also. The shields are not limited to be inprimary frames. They can be in, for example, fit-over glasses, auxiliaryframes or safety glasses. To illustrate, in fit-over glasses, suchshields can go over or cover at least a portion of the primary frames.One or more electrical components can be in such shields.

Note that in one embodiment, a pair of glasses does not have to includelenses. Also, a number of embodiments have been described with a pair ofglasses tethered to a base. In one embodiment, a pair of glassesincludes a base and a cord connecting the base to the glasses.

In yet another embodiment, a pair of glasses also includes a sensor.FIG. 17A is a chart 900 that depicts examples of sensors in the glasses.

In one embodiment, the sensor is a “being worn” sensor. The “being worn”sensor indicates whether the glasses are being worn by its user. The“being worn” operation can be performed using, for example, a thermalsensor, a motion detector, a stress sensor or a switch.

In one embodiment, a motion detector is used as a “being worn” sensor. Athreshold can be set, such that if the amount of motion exceeds thethreshold, the eyewear is assumed to be worn. The motion detector can,for example, be achieved by a mechanical means or an accelerometer.

In another embodiment, the “being worn” sensor includes two thermalsensors. One sensor can be at approximately the middle of a temple, suchas in a region that touches the head of the user wearing the glasses.The other sensor can be at the end of the temple, close to its hinge. Ifthe temperature differential between the two sensors is beyond a certainpreset value, the eyewear would be assumed to be worn. The differentialis presumed to be caused by a person wearing the pair of glasses.

In yet another embodiment, the “being worn” sensor includes a stresssensor at the hinge of the temple. The assumption is that when theeyewear is worn, the hinge is typically slightly stretched becausetypically, the width of the head of the user is slightly wider than thewidth between the temples when the two temples are in the extendedpositions. If the value of the stress sensor is beyond a certain presetvalue, the glasses would be assumed to be worn.

In a further embodiment, the “being worn” sensor can be a switch. Forexample, at the hinge between a temple and its corresponding lensholder, there is a switch. When that temple is fully extended outwards,the switch is turned on. The switch can be a pin. When the temple isfully extended outwards, the pin is pressed. When both temples are fullyextended outwards, in one embodiment, the glasses would be assumed to beworn by the user.

In one embodiment, another type of sensor is an environmental sensor.The environmental sensor can sense environmental conditions, such as oneor more of ultraviolet radiation, temperature (e.g., ambienttemperature), pressure, light, humidity and toxins (e.g., chemicals,radiation, etc.).

In another embodiment, another type of sensor is a condition sensor. Thecondition sensor can sense the conditions of the user of the glasses.Examples of physical sensors include sensing one or more of distancetraveled, location, speed, calories consumed, temperature and vitalsigns associated with the user of the glasses. The distance traveledcould represent the horizontal distance traveled or the verticaldistance (i.e. elevation) traveled. The speed can be the rate ofmovement along the horizontal distance traveled and/or the verticaldistance. In yet another embodiment, the condition sensor can sense theemotional conditions of the user of the glasses.

The sensors can be provided in a redundant or fault-tolerant manner. Forexample, sensors can come in pairs in the glasses. When onemalfunctions, the other one will take over its operation. In anotherembodiment, the sensor information can be processed in a differentialmanner to examine changes to the sensor information. The sensors can bypowered by a battery, solar energy, or kinetic energy. For reduced powerconsumption, the sensors can remain in a low-power state unless data isbeing acquired by the sensors. In yet another embodiment, two or more ofthe auxiliary sensors can communicate with one another (wired orwirelessly) to exchange data or control information.

A number of embodiments have been described regarding one or moreelectrical components at least partially embedded in a pair of glasses.In one embodiment, one or more electrical components are at leastpartially embedded in a temple tip of a pair of glasses. Temple tips areparticularly common for wire or metal frames. The pair of glasses has afirst and a second lens holders for receiving lenses. Each of the lensholders has a first side and a second side. The pair of glasses has abridge element that couples the first side of the first lens holder tothe second side of the second lens holder. The pair of glasses alsoincludes a first temple and a second temple. The first temple ispivotally secured to the second side of the first lens holder through ajoint, while the second temple is pivotally secured to the first side ofthe second lens holder through another joint. A temple typically has twoends, a first end and a second end. The first end can be the end that ispivotally secured to a lens holder through a joint, and the second endcan be the other end of the temple. It is not uncommon that a templeincludes a main body and an enclosure that grabs onto the main body ofthe temple. The second end is typically where the enclosure grabs ontothe main body. The enclosure can be made of a different material thanthe main body of the temple. In one embodiment, such an enclosure is atemple tip, and there is an electrical component, partially or fully,embedded in the tip. There can also be a connector, such as theconnector 300 shown in FIG. 5, at the temple tip. In another embodiment,the temple tip can include a female connector, which can be similar tothe female connector 310 shown in FIG. 6B. As the temple tip grabs ontothe main body of the temple, the female connector can make electricalcontact with a male connector at the main body of the temple. Typically,particularly before a pair of glasses has been extensively worn, thetemple tip can be removed and re-inserted back on to the main body ofthe temple without a lot of difficulties. Such a temple tip can be anafter-market component, with different temple tips having differentelectrical components to serve different functions.

FIG. 17B is a diagram of a temple arrangement 910 according to oneembodiment of the invention. In this arrangement, a temple tip is notconsidered as a part of the temple. The temple arrangement 910 includesa temple 912 that is associated with a pair of eyeglasses. Over the endof the temple 912 that is opposite the associated lens holder, a templetip 914 is provided. The temple tip 914 can be held to the temple 912 byfrictional forces and/or adhesive. The temple tip 914 includes at leastone electrical component 916 that is at least partially embeddedtherein. The temple tip 914 can be manufactured and delivered toresellers or retailers as such. Alternatively, the temple tip 914 can beseparately provided as an optional replacement temple tip for anexisting temple tip. Hence, as after manufacture, upgrade to the eyewearcan be had through replacing the existing temple tip with thereplacement temple tip. The colors and shapes of the temple tip 914 canvary widely. In the after manufacturing environment, the reseller orretailer can be provided with a range of different colors and shapes sothat a user can receive a replacement tip that reasonably matches thecolor and shape of the temple or that provides an altered appearance asdesired by the user.

Besides a replacement temple tip such as illustrated in FIG. 17B, atemple tip can also be effectively modified by a fit-over temple ortemple cover. FIG. 17C is a diagram of a temple cover 920 that at leastpartially covers a temple (e.g., temple 912) according to one embodimentof the invention. As another example, the temple cover 920 can be afabric or other material, such as a sock or sleeve, that slides over andat least partially covers a temple tip. The temple cover 920 can includeat one electrical component 922 that is either attached thereto or atleast partially embedded therein. The temple cover 920 can also includean opening 924 so as to received a temple or a temple tip. The templecover 920 can be held to a temple by frictional forces and/or adhesive.FIG. 17D is a diagram of a fit-over temple 926 that at least partiallyfits over a temple according to one embodiment of the invention. Forexample, the fit-over temple 926 can at least partial fit-over a templetip. The fit-over temple 926 includes at one electrical component 928that is either attached thereto or at least partially embedded therein.The fit-over temple 926 can also include an opening 930 so as to receivea temple. The fit-over temple 926 can be held to a temple by frictionalforces and/or adhesive. As an example, the fit-over temple 926 can beplastic or other material. The colors and shapes of the fit-over temple926 can vary widely. In the after manufacturing environment, thereseller or retailer can be provided with a range of different colorsand shapes so that a user can receive a replacement temple cover orfit-over temple that reasonably matches the color and shape of thetemple or that provides an altered appearance as desired by the user.

In one embodiment, a fit-over temple or temple cover according to theinvention can further include a connector or cable to facilitateelectrical connection with the at least one electrical component that iseither attached to a temple or a temple tip or at least partiallyembedded therein.

In one embodiment, an electrical component is a component of anelectrical circuit, and the electrical circuit is for performing atleast a desired, intended or predetermined function.

A number of embodiments have been described above for an eyeglass frame,i.e., primary frame, are also applicable to an auxiliary frame. Anauxiliary frame can attach to a primary frame through differenttechniques, such as using clips. Another technique to attach anauxiliary frame to a primary frame is by way of magnets. Examples ofusing magnets as an attachment technique can be found, for example, inU.S. Pat. No. 6,012,811, entitled, “EYEGLASS FRAMES WITH MAGNETS ATBRIDGES FOR ATTACHMENT.”

A number of embodiments have been described where one or more electricalcomponents are at least partially embedded in a pair of glasses. In yetanother embodiment, the one or more electrical components are at leastpartially embedded in an eye mask.

FIG. 18 shows one embodiment 925 where one or more electrical componentsare at least partially embedded in an eye mask 927. The eye mask 927includes a piece of fabric that is opaque so that when the mask is worn,the mask wraps around the eyes to block light from entering into theeyes of the user.

The embodiment 925 includes a wrapping mechanism to hold the fabric ontothe head of a user so that when the mask is worn by the user, themechanism allows the fabric to have a relatively tight and comfortablefit over the face of the user. In one approach the wrapping mechanism isachieved with the fabric in the shape of a band and having a certaindegree of elasticity. When the mask is worn by the user, the elasticityof the fabric allows the mask to establish a relatively tight fit overthe face of the user. In another example, the fabric is a long piece ofmaterial. The wrapping mechanism includes a clip or Velcro at the twoends of the piece of material to tie the two ends together. In anotherexample, the wrapping mechanism includes two elastic pieces of elasticmaterials at the two ends of the fabric. To wear the mask, each elasticpiece of material goes over one of the ears of the user so that thefabric establishes a relatively tight fit over the face of the user. Inyet another embodiment, the mask 927 includes a notch 935 to accommodatethe nose of the user. In another embodiment, there can be additionalpadding in the vicinity of the one or more electrical components so thatif an electrical component is pressed against the user, the paddingserves as a buffer or cushion.

In one embodiment, a speaker 929 can be at least partially embedded inthe mask 927, and can be positioned close to and facing one of the earsof the user. The speaker 929, through an electrical connector, iselectrically connected to a cable 931. The cable 931 can also have aconnector 933 at its distal end. The connector 933 can be plugged intoanother device, such as a MP3 player or a CD player. After putting onthe mask, with the connector 933 plugged into the another device, theuser would be able to hear, for example, audio sounds such as music. Theeyemask 925 can be applied to different areas. For example, the user canbe on a plane, and would like to rest. The user can put on the eyemask925, and plug the connector 933 into a media outlet at an armrest of herseat in the plane. Thus, the user can enjoy music while taking a rest.The embodiment 925 could also include a plurality of speakers, such asone for each of the user's ears.

In another embodiment, the eyemask 927 includes the speaker 929 and abattery that is electrically connected to the speaker 929. The batterycan be in a pocket on the eyemask and can be replaceable. The batterycan also be a rechargeable battery, such as a lithium-ion battery, andthere is a connector at least partially embedded in the eyemask. Theconnector can be used to recharge the battery.

FIG. 19 shows another embodiment 950 where one or more electricalcomponents are at least partially embedded in a night cap 952. In oneembodiment, the cap 952 is at least partially made of fabric. In anotherembodiment, the cap 952 is entirely made of fabric. The cap includes awrapping mechanism. When the cap is worn, the wrapping mechanism holdsthe cap onto the head of the user, and allows the cap to have arelatively tight and comfortable fit over the head of the user. Againthe wrapping mechanism can be an elastic band at the base 962 of the cap952. Or, the wrapping mechanism can include clips or Velcro aspreviously described.

The cap can include at least one speaker 954, which is at leastpartially embedded in the cap 952. When the cap 952 is worn by a user,the speaker 954 is positioned close to and facing one of the ears of theuser. The speaker 954 can, for example, be electrically connectedthrough a connector to a device 962 in a pocket 960 on the cap 952. Theelectrical connection can be through a cable 956 external to the cap952. The cable 956 also can have a connector 958 to be plugged into thedevice 962. In another embodiment, the cable 956 is embedded in the cap.The device 962 can be an asset player, such as a MP3 player, with abattery. Through the connector 958, audio signals from the device 962can be received by the speaker 954 and heard by the user. There can beone or more additional pockets on the night cap for one or moreadditional electrical components. When worn, the night cap does not haveto cover the eyes of the user. In yet another embodiment, when worn, thenight cap further covers the eyes of the user, as shown in FIG. 19. Inone embodiment, the embodiment 950 further includes padding in thevicinity of an electrical component to serve as a buffer or cushionbetween the user and the electrical component.

A number of embodiments have been described involving a speaker in aneyemask or a night cap. In one embodiment, the audio output from thespeaker can serve to cancel the environmental sounds in the vicinity ofthe user. For example, if the user is on an airplane, the surroundingenvironmental sound has a relatively high level of white noise. Thiswhite noise can be detected by a pickup device and cancelled by noisecancellation circuitry provided within the eyemask or night cap. Namely,the audio output from the speaker serves to cancel the white noise ofthe user's environment. In another embodiment, the electrical componentembedded or partially embedded is not a speaker, but can be a sensor,which can sense a physiological function of the user.

FIG. 20A is a diagram illustrating a temple 1000 having a slot forreceiving a removable electronic device 1002 according to one embodimentof the invention. In one example, the removable electronic device 1002can be a memory storage device, sometimes referred to as a memory card.As shown in FIG. 20A, the removable electronic device 1002 is insertedinto the slot. Although the slot could be electrically non-functional,typically the slot provides an avenue for the removable electronicdevice 1002 to be physically and electrically connected to electricalcircuitry within the temple 1000 or elsewhere within the eyeglass frame.FIG. 20B is a diagram illustrating the temple 1000 having a recessedlower portion 1004 according to another embodiment of the invention. Therecessed lower portion 1004 facilitates the insertion and removal of theremovable electronic device 1002. In either embodiment, the removableelectronic device can be manually inserted and removed or can use morecomplicated mechanical mechanisms to assist with the insertion andremoval (e.g., spring-based push and release structure).

FIGS. 21A and 21B are diagrams illustrating a pair of glasses 2100having a camera 2101 coupled thereto, according to one embodiment. Thecamera includes an image sensor 2102 and a camera housing 2106 (alsoreferred to as a camera support arm). In this embodiment, the camera2101 is rotatably coupled to an exterior surface of a temple 2104 of thepair of glasses 2100. The camera support arm 2106 is attached to thetemple 2104. The camera support arm 2106 can couple to the temple 2104using a hinge 2108. In one implementation, the hinge 2108 can use aspring or cam mechanism so that the camera support arm 2106 is heldeither against the temple 2104 when not in use or held in an open orextended position when in use. FIG. 21A illustrates one position of thecamera support arm 2106 when the camera 2101 is not in use. FIG. 21Billustrates one position of the camera support arm 2106 when the camera2101 is in use. The presence of the camera 2101 with the pair ofeyeglasses 2100 enables a wearer of the pair of eyeglasses 2100 to takepictures of what the wearer is looking at. It should be noted that othersupporting circuitry such as data storage for pictures, switches,battery, and electronics for the camera 2101 can be in the temple 2104,in the camera support arm 2106, elsewhere in the pair of glasses 2100,or even tethered thereto. However, in one implementation, the camera2101 is completely self-contained in the camera housing 2106. In oneembodiment, the hinge 2108 can also serve as a switch to turn the imagesensor 2102 on or off.

In one implementation, to improve overall appearance of the pair ofglasses 2100, the temple 2100 can provide a recess for receiving thecamera support arm 2106 when the camera is not being utilized. Such mayimprove the aesthetic appearance of the pair of glasses 2100.

In another implementation, the pair of glasses 2100 can further providea viewfinder. The viewfinder can assist the user in directing the imagesensor 2102 towards whenever the user desired to photograph. Theviewfinder can be a separate apparatus that is extended by user actionor can be a viewfinder that is visually present or presented on one ofthe lenses. In one example, the viewfinder can be an extendable viewerthrough which the user can look through to determine the field ofreference of the image sensor 2102. The viewfinder can be extendiblefrom either of the temples, such as in a telescoping, sliding orflipping action. Additionally, when the camera support arm 2106 isextended, a viewfinder can be automatically initiated. For example,indicators on one of the lens can be visually presented, such as throughoptical projection from one or more light sources. In anotherembodiment, the viewfinder can be always present, such as withindicators on one of the lens of the pair of glasses 2100. Theindicators can be a few faint dots to define an area on the lens.

In one embodiment, the camera support arm (camera housing) 2106 isremovably coupled to the hinge 2108. As such, the camera 2101 can beremoved from or attached to the pair of glasses 2100. Indeed, the camerasupport arm (camera housing) 2106 can be a camera body that houseselectronics for the camera 2101. In such case, the camera 2101 canoperate as a camera apart from the pair of glasses 2100.

In one implementation, the camera support arm 2106 has a connector andthe hinge 2108 has a counterpart connector. In one example, theconnectors are peripheral bus connectors, such as USB connectors. Insuch case, the camera support arm 2106 can be attached and removed fromthe pair of glasses 2100. Such a connection via the connectors can beelectrically functional or non-functional. If functional, electricalcomponents in the pair of glasses 2100 can be electrically connected toelectrical components in the camera 2101.

Still further, in one embodiment, the connector at the end of the hinge2108 enables connection of a variety of different peripheral devices tothe pair of glasses 2100. For example, the different peripheral devices(portable electronic devices) can be the camera, a memory card, or amedia player. In one embodiment, electrical components integral with thepair of glasses 2100 can be shared by the different peripheralcomponents. The hinge 2108 is not necessary in other embodiments, seeFIGS. 8F-8H, where a connector is attached or integral with a temple ofa pair of glasses. If desired, the camera 2101 or other peripheraldevices can include in its structure a hinge or other mechanism topermit positioning the camera or other peripheral devices.

In still another embodiment, an angled or hinged adapter can be insertedbetween a connector attached to the pair of glasses 2100 and a connectorof the camera 2101 or other peripheral devices. The adapter can beelectrically functional or non-functional.

Regardless of the electrical components being utilized with the eyeglassframes, it may be desirable for the eyeglass frames to be substantiallybalanced in weight. In the event that electrical components are attachedand/or at least partially embedded in one of the temples of the eyeglassframe, the other of the temples can include other electrical componentsor even a counter weight so that the eyeglass frame can be substantiallybalanced.

The various embodiments, implementations and features of the inventionnoted above can be combined in various ways or used separately. Thoseskilled in the art will understand from the description that theinvention can be equally applied to or used in other various differentsettings with respect to various combinations, embodiments,implementations or features provided in the description herein.

A number of embodiments in the invention can be implemented in software,hardware or a combination of hardware and software. A number ofembodiments of the invention can also be embodied as computer readablecode on a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium is anydata storage device that can store data which can thereafter be read bya computer system. Examples of the computer readable medium includeread-only memory, random-access memory, CD-ROMs, magnetic tape, opticaldata storage devices, and carrier waves. The computer readable mediumcan also be distributed over network-coupled computer systems so thatthe computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributedfashion.

Numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present invention. However, it will become obviousto those skilled in the art that the invention may be practiced withoutthese specific details. The description and representation herein arethe common meanings used by those experienced or skilled in the art tomost effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled inthe art. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components,and circuitry have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarilyobscuring aspects of the present invention.

Also, in this specification, reference to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment can beincluded in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances ofthe phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specificationare not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor areseparate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of otherembodiments. Further, the order of blocks in process flowcharts ordiagrams representing one or more embodiments of the invention do notinherently indicate any particular order nor imply any limitations inthe invention.

Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled inthe art from a consideration of this specification or practice of theinvention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification andexamples be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spiritof the invention being indicated by the following claims.

Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled inthe art from a consideration of this specification or practice of theinvention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification andexamples be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spiritof the invention being indicated by the following claims.

1. An eyeglass frame for supporting lenses therein, the eyeglass framefor a user, comprising: at least one temple, the temple having an insidesurface, which is the surface facing the user when the frame is worn; aspeaker at least partially embedded in the eyeglass frame; an electricalconnector at least partially embedded on the inside surface of the atleast one temple to receive a removable electronic device; an inputmechanism that allows the user to enter a preference of the user to bestored in a storage medium at the frame; and an electrical conductorelectrically coupling the speaker to the connector.
 2. An eyeglass frameas recited in claim 1, wherein the speaker and the electrical conductorare at least partially embedded in the at least one temple.
 3. Aneyeglass frame as recited in claim 1 further comprising a tube, the tubeextending from the speaker to guide sound generated by the speaker toone of the ears of the user.
 4. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 1,wherein the device is in the shape of a card.
 5. An eyeglass frame asrecited in claim 1, wherein the device is a memory card.
 6. An eyeglassframe as recited in claim 1, wherein the frame further includes a cover,which is located over the removable electronic device after theremovable electronic device is attached to the connector.
 7. An eyeglassframe as recited in claim 1 wherein the user's preference is related towhat is output by the speaker.
 8. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim1 wherein the shape of the removable electronic device is flat at leastin the vicinity where it is attached to the connector.
 9. An eyeglassframe as recited in claim 1, wherein a piece of asset can be identifiedby an attribute, and wherein the user indicates the preference regardingthe piece of asset via the attribute.
 10. An eyeglass frame as recitedin claim 9, wherein the piece of asset is a piece of music, and whereinthe attribute is selected from the group of the name of the singer ofthe piece of music, the name of the piece of music and the type of musicthat the piece of music belongs to.
 11. An eyeglass frame as recited inclaim 9, wherein the piece of asset includes meta data, and wherein theattribute is in the meta data.
 12. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim9, wherein the piece of asset is categorized based on the attribute, andwherein the categorization helps subsequent retrieval of the piece ofasset.
 13. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 1, wherein the eyeglassframe further comprises voice recognition electronics, and wherein thepreference is entered verbally via the voice recognition electronics.14. An eyeglass frame for a user, comprising: a pair of temples, one oneach side of the frame; and an electrical connector being located on aninside or an outside surface of the one of the temples, wherein theconnector is for receiving a removable electronic device having aplurality of electrical components and a counterpart connector, whereinthe connector and the counterpart connector operate to removably securethe electronic device to the eyeglass frame so that when secured theelectronic device is substantially fixed in position relative to theeyeglass frame, wherein the eyeglass frame includes at least oneelectrical component internal to the one of the temples, and wherein theconnector on the inside or the outside surface of the one of the templesis electrically connected to the at least one electrical component. 15.An eyeglass frame for a user comprising: a pair of temples, one on eachside of the frame; and an electrical connector being located on aninside or an outside surface of the one of the temples, wherein theelectrical connector is for receiving a removable electronic devicehaving a plurality of electrical components and a counterpart connector,wherein the electrical connector and the counterpart connector operateto removably secure the electronic device to the eyeglass frame so thatwhen secured the electronic device is substantially fixed in positionrelative to the eyeglass frame, wherein the eyeglass frame includes afunctional module with a plurality of electrical components that areelectrically interconnected through a substrate, and wherein theelectrical connector on the inside or the outside surface of the one ofthe temples is electrically connected to the components through thesubstrate.
 16. An eyeglass frame for supporting lenses therein, theeyeglass frame for a user, comprising: at least one temple, the templehaving an inside and an outside surface; a speaker at least partiallyembedded in the eyeglass frame; an attachable and detachable storagemedium located on the inside or the outside surface of the at least onetemple; an input mechanism that allows the user to enter a preference ofthe user to be stored in the storage medium at the eyeglass frame; andan electrical conductor electrically coupling the speaker to the storagemedium when the storage medium is attached to the eyeglass frame,wherein the information regarding the preference can be subsequentlyretrieved from the storage medium.
 17. An eyeglass frame as recited inclaim 16, wherein the eyeglass frame further comprises a wirelessreceiver that is configured to receive wireless signals, and wherein thepreference is regarding the received wireless signals.
 18. An eyeglassframe as recited in claim 17, wherein the received wireless signalspertain to a piece of music.
 19. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim18, wherein the piece of music is stored in the storage medium in viewof the preference indicated by the user.
 20. An eyeglass frame asrecited in claim 16, wherein the eyeglass frame is configured to operateas a multimedia asset player.
 21. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim20, wherein the preference is regarding an attribute of the multimediaasset player.
 22. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 16, wherein theeyeglass frame further comprises a wireless transmitter that isconfigured to wirelessly transmit information regarding the preferenceto another entity to allow the other entity to track the preference ofthe user.
 23. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 16, wherein theeyeglass frame is configured to play a piece of music, and wherein thepreference identifies the piece of music.
 24. An eyeglass frame asrecited in claim 23, wherein in view of the preference, the piece ofmusic is stored in the storage medium to allow the user to subsequentlyretrieve the piece of music.
 25. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim24, wherein the storage medium is a flash memory.